With a left-hander on the mound Rangers manager Ron Washington made just one lineup change compared to Game 1, replacing the left-handed-hitting David Murphy with the right-handed-hitting Craig Gentry. He also has Gentry in center field with Josh Hamilton shifting to left field, which makes sense given that the reigning MVP is playing at considerably less than full strength due to a groin injury.

Tony La Russa is sticking with the same eight starters as Game 1, but he flip-flopped Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman in the batting order. Berkman is a switch-hitter who’s typically been much worse versus left-handers, so it makes sense to have him back in the cleanup spot versus right-hander Colby Lewis.

This year Garcia had a better xFIP, lower walk rate, and higher K rate against righties than lefties…and, of course, aver 80% of the hitters he faced were righties….so…why is the all RH + Hamilton lineup scaring me?

I don’t understand why Jay is in center again. His bat has not been there down the stretch or in the postseason. Unless Skip is still hobbled, he should be starting in center. The defensive drop off isn’t that much with both of them at 100%.